Independent surveillance · Editorially reviewed Data last verified: 21 May 2026 · 09:00 UTC
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● MV Hondius cluster · Day 16 · Vessel approaching Rotterdam
Report date: 17 May 2026 Status: Archived snapshot Risk: ECDC VERY LOW
Dashboard/ Daily Reports/17 May 2026

MV Hondius approach: Oceanwide confirms no symptomatic individuals onboard; arrival 18 May

A consolidated 24-hour summary covering events reported between 16 May 06:00 UTC and 17 May 06:00 UTC.

Compiled from primary sources Editor: Hristo Stanchev Sources cited: 3 Events logged: 3
Confirmed / probable (cumulative)
10
±0 (Canadian case pending NML)
Under investigation
1
pending lab
Deaths (cumulative)
3
±0 in past 24h
Countries involved
13
monitoring continues

What happened on 17 May

Oceanwide Expeditions issued a statement confirming that no symptomatic individuals remained on board the MV Hondius as it approached the Netherlands. The vessel was scheduled to dock in Rotterdam on 18 May with 25 crew, 2 RIVM medical staff, and the body of one passenger who had died on board. Disinfection protocols had been finalized with the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and would take an estimated 3 to 4 days. Crew disembarkation would proceed in a staggered approach upon arrival, in coordination with the cleaning process.

The operator additionally indicated that clarity on the vessel's summer cruise schedule would be communicated by the end of the week. The Hondius is listed in Oceanwide's catalog for Arctic departures throughout June. No new cluster cases or deaths were reported during the 24-hour window; Canadian confirmatory testing at NML Winnipeg remained pending.

24-hour event log (17 May 06:00 → next day 06:00 UTC)

17 May · 12:00
update

Oceanwide: no symptomatic individuals on board; ETA Rotterdam 18 May

Oceanwide Expeditions confirms vessel remains on course for Rotterdam arrival 18 May. Statement: 'No symptomatic individuals are present on board.' 25 crew + 2 RIVM medics + body of deceased passenger on board. Staggered disembarkation planned in coordination with cleaning.

Source: Oceanwide Expeditions press release, 17 May 2026
17 May
update

Disinfection plan finalized with RIVM; 3-4 day duration

Dutch RIVM confirms disinfection protocols finalized with Oceanwide. Cleaning expected to take 3 to 4 days. Vessel will be cleaned in an enclosed section of Rotterdam port. Decision on summer Arctic cruise schedule expected by end of week.

Source: RIVM / Oceanwide Expeditions
17 May
update

Canada confirmatory testing pending; no operational status change

NML Winnipeg confirmatory testing for the Canadian presumptive case remains pending. Patient and spouse remain hospitalized on Vancouver Island. ECDC and WHO have not yet updated official tallies to reflect Canadian announcement.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

Sources cited in this report

  1. Oceanwide Expeditions statement, 17 May 2026.
  2. RIVM Netherlands hantavirus current information. www.rivm.nl
  3. Public Health Agency of Canada.

See methodology for the source-tiering framework and corrections log for any future amendments to this report.